Jeri Kunz Webster

Jeri Davis Kunz (Webster) passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of creativity, resilience, deep love, and unforgettable humor. Born in Chico, California, on May 3, 1938, Jeri spent her earliest years in Paradise, California, where she spent her days playing with her favorite pet chicken.

After her parents divorced when she was 2, Jeri and her mother moved back to Utah, where her mother remarried. Eventually, Jeri stepped into the role of devoted big sister, a role she cherished. Her family moved frequently—to her frustration, she never attended a single school for more than one year. Still, she deeply loved the years she spent near the ocean in California. She treasured visits to her grandparents, especially going abalone hunting on the beach with her grandfather. Her Grandma Simonson’s home was her favorite place of all to be.

As the eldest of seven children, Jeri took on plenty of babysitting duties, eventually earning the affectionate nickname "Sarge" from her siblings once she mastered the art of delegation! In her youth, she spent a summer working in Yellowstone with one of her best friends, Rhea—a place that became special to her and where she would later spend countless happy days camping and snowmobiling with her own family.

Jeri was a proud graduate of Ben Lomond High School in Ogden, where her artistic talent shone when she drew the school's original mascot. Her first, second, and third jobs were at JCPenney—working in the stockroom, operating the elevator, and eventually styling the store's window mannequins. That final role led to one of her favorite memories, when she overheard a child tell his parent, "The dummy in the window is moving!" She also worked in a dental office before dedicating her time to raising her family.

Jeri met the love of her life, W. Dee Kunz, at a church dance. Following a whirlwind six-week romance, they eloped in Evanston, Wyoming, and built a life together with five children. Tragically, Dee passed away in a snowmobile accident in 1974, leaving Jeri a young widow at just 35 years old. Through immense strength and determination, she raised her five children, teaching them the values of hard work, creativity, and resilience.

A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jeri loved serving in her many church callings. Later, she volunteered at the historic Beehive House in downtown Salt Lake City, where she delighted in sharing church history with tourists and locals alike. This experience sparked a passion for collecting bees and beehive trinkets—a sweet collection her family will forever treasure as a reminder of her.

Jeri was a woman of extraordinary artistic talent. An incredible seamstress, she lovingly recreated the latest clothing styles for her children so they would feel confident at school. She was also a master wedding cake maker, creating stunning cakes for family, friends, and neighbors for decades—including a legendary wedding cake for her youngest daughter that featured a fish tank in the middle! Her creative spirit extended to the holidays, from making graham cracker Christmas houses and candy trains to painting funny-faced pumpkins for her neighbors every Halloween. She could never send a card without drawing and coloring incredible faces and pictures on the envelopes.

Jeri’s home and heart were always open, and she truly loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Known as a very fun grandmother, she loved taking them to the farm to see the animals and ride the tractors, shuttling them to run the river at Lava Hot Springs, and taking trips to Idaho, Yellowstone, Georgia, Florida, and St. George. Her grandkids always looked forward to seeing what unique treasures she had picked up for them at local garage sales—one of her favorite pastimes, much to everyone's dismay when it came time to clean out her houses and properties!

Though life was not always easy for Jeri, she faced every hardship with perseverance, humor, and a heart full of love. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend. She loved many, and many, many loved her.